China Discovery & Hong Kong 14 Days

Tour Highlights:

Uncover the mysteries of the Forbidden City, and walk in Tiananmen Square

Sit by tranquil West Lake in Hangzhou, much admired by Marco Polo

Stroll in one of the finest Chinese classical gardens, in Suzhou

Immerse yourself in the bustling metropolis Shanghai

Enjoy three days and nights at leisure in the island city of Hong Kong

As its name suggests, this tour is designed to give you a sample of China's ancient history, rich culture, delicate cuisine, thriving industries, and modern architecture. Walk along the Great Wall and unfold the mystery of the Forbidden City in China's capital Beijing, discover the exquisite cities of Wuxi, as well as Suzhou and Hangzhou – both cities 'on par with heaven' for their natural beauty, according to a Chinese saying. Before leaving the mainland, immerse yourself in the dynamic and cosmopolitan Shanghai. Due to the popularity of Hong Kong as a mecca for food and shopping, and other assorted charms, we have added a three night stopover there on the return leg of your China tour.

Business Class Upgrade~: Cathay Pacific from $4100 (subject to availability)

Please Note: Flight itineraries are not available until approximately 3 weeks before departure and involve transits

(~) International long haul sectors only.

(^) Yangtze River Cruise post-tour extension is not available.

All prices, itineraries, airlines, hotels and cruise ships are subject to availability and change without prior notice. Nexus Holidays reserves the right to provide substitutes of similar standard and adjust the itinerary as we see fit to ensure the smooth running of the tour. Passengers must remain with the tour group at all times and must not deviate from the set itinerary. The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land. Please check all information before booking. By booking, you accept all Booking Conditions.

Tour Extensions Optional Extension

Yangtze River Cruise 4/5 Days from $950

A Yangtze River cruise is the thrill of a lifetime. You will enjoy the stunning picturesque scenery and amazing natural beauty of the famed Three Gorges: Qutang , Wu, and Xiling, while exploring historical relics and ancient cultural sites along the mighty river.

Xi’an 3 Day Tour Extension from $590

The tour will be either self-guided or a group tour depending on the size of group.

Xi’an was the capital of China for eleven dynasties, over a period of more than 2,000 years. Now the city is famed for the ‘Terracotta Army’ of Qin Shi Huang – the first ruler to unify the lands that became modern China. Take in one of the wonders of the ancient world with two nights in Xi’an.

Optional ProgramsOptional Extension

Get to know China and Hong Kong better with our list of in-depth excursions recommended to add another dimension to your total experience! All China optional activities can be prepaid in Australia more than 30 days prior to departure at the discounted AUD prices below, or paid directly in the local currency to your tour guide upon arrival in China. An exception to this are all Hong Kong optional activities, which must be pre-paid in Australia. Prepay all China optional programs to receive a $15 discount off the total price. English-speaking local guide, admissions and/or round trip transfers are included in the prices for all China optional activities and some Hong Kong optional activities.

Testimonials Optional Extension

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you everyone at Nexus Holidays for organising a magnificent China Sampler tour. The tour exceeded my expectations in every way. It was operated by very efficient local and national guides, who were both experienced and helpful. The level of accommodation was exceptional in most instances and the food was great. The optional tours were highly enjoyable and I would give this trip a full 5 star rating. I will have no hesitation in recommending it to everyone contemplating travelling to China. Thank you for this most memorable experience.

(Janette. August 8, 2015 at 10:01)

My wife and I are just back from the 11 day tour of China. What a fantastic experience it was too with an interesting program taking in many great sights and a ride on the Maglev too. Our Nexus guides were brilliant and nothing was too much for them. The hotels were of an excellent standard and the food was very good and very plentiful. I would recommend Nexus to all my friends and am very grateful for the experience of visiting China in springtime when all the trees are blossoming. I look forward to my next Nexus trip.

Fly to Beijing, the capital city of China, via a connecting city. Upon arrival, you will be warmly greeted at the airport by your tour guide and transferred to your hotel.Please note: Some flights may depart the day before.

Beijing served as the capital of five dynasties over a period of 800 years. Today, visit Tiananmen Square, the second largest public square in the world, and the Forbidden City, the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming to Qing dynasty. Your welcome banquet includes the local delicacy, Peking Roast Duck.

Today’s highlight is an excursion to the majestic Great Wall at Juyong Pass, the most famous image of China, and a chance to climb a portion of this 3,700-mile marvel. You will also visit one of the largest jade exhibitions in Asia en-route. After lunch, see skilled artisans at work at a cloisonné factory. Tonight, you can choose to attend an optional large scale dramatic musical, The Golden Mask Dynasty (at your own expense).

Today tour the exquisite Summer Palace, the largest preserved ancient garden in China and a former summer resort for emperors, followed by the Panda House at Beijing Zoo to see China’s adorable national treasure – the Giant Panda. Then visit a Chinese herbal institute to learn about traditional Chinese medicine which has existed for thousands of years, as you enjoy a rejuvenating foot massage. Later, you can join an optional Hutong Life Tour (at your own expense), a special journey which explores Beijing’s ancient alleyways or ‘hutongs’ by pedicab, or take a stroll in Wangfujing, one of the Chinese capital’s most famous shopping streets. Cap off the day by attending a thrilling Chinese Kung Fu Show (at your own expense).

Take a high speed train to Wuxi, an ancient city richly endowed with natural attractions due to its pleasantly warm and moist climate. Wuxi boasts a reputation of being the ‘Land of Fish and Rice’. Enjoy the scenery as we pass by Lake Tai, the third-largest freshwater lake in China. This evening, go sightseeing around Nanchang Street and take a cruise along the Grand Canal (at your own expense) to view life along what was known as ‘China’s golden waterway’ in its heyday. Then, take a stroll along the trendy pedestrian streets composed of both ancient and modern architecture.

This morning visit one of the largest fresh water pearl exhibitions in the country. After lunch, travel by coach to Suzhou, an extraordinarily elegant city with its canals, stone bridges, and meticulously designed gardens. Suzhou has often been referred to as ‘Paradise on Earth’ by Chinese poets and writers since ancient times. As a large area of the city is covered by water, including a vast number of ponds and streams, Suzhou is also known as ‘Venice of the East’. It is also known as the ‘Garden City’ due to its many classical gardens, renowned for their charming natural beauty and harmonious construction. Visit the Lingering Garden, which is among the finest gardens in China.

This morning visit a silk spinning mill, and learn how silk is created from mulberry-munching silkworms to produce the finest thread and cloth. After lunch, travel by coach to Hangzhou, described by Marco Polo as “the most beautiful and magnificent city in the world”. Upon arrival, take a boat ride on the serene West Lake, the most renowned feature of Hangzhou, and noted for its scenic beauty which blends naturally with many famous historical and cultural sites. This evening, you can enjoy an optional open-air performance, Impression West Lake, a masterpiece created by Zhang Yimou, the director of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics Games Opening Ceremony (at your own expense).

Experience tea-tasting at the Dragon Well Tea Plantation. Then travel by coach to Shanghai, a vibrant metropolis and the commercial centre of China. Upon arrival, walk along the famous Bund, a mile-long stretch along the Huangpu River. Lined with colonial architecture of European design, it is the best place to capture the Western influences of the old days. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure strolling along the bustling shopping district, Nanjing Road. Tonight you can watch a superb and thrilling Chinese acrobatic show ERA: The Intersection of Time or SPIRAL (at your own expense).

After breakfast, visit Jin Mao Tower Observation Deck (88th floor) for a panoramic view of Huangpu River and the Bund. After lunch, head to the Old Street and the City God Temple of Shanghai, a large temple complex and surrounding traditional commercial district in the city. Afterwards, you can cap off the celebrations by joining an optional Huangpu River Cruise for a glimpse of a charming view of Shanghai (at your own expense).

Enjoy a half-day tour of Hong Kong Island visiting Victoria Peak for incredible views of the city, Stanley Market for shopping and local character, and Aberdeen Fishing Village, to see sampans and houseboats framed against the soaring skyscrapers of the city. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Today is free and easy at your leisure. Track down some famous Hong Kong red roast pork or dumpling noodle soup, photograph the densely built-up cityscape, or just lose yourself in the hustle and bustle of this unique island metropolis. You may choose to join one of our optional activities.

Optional Pre-Tour Extension Package

Xi’an Terracotta Warriors 2 Nights

From $590

Xi’an was the first Chinese city to open its doors to the world, during the Tang dynasty, and the capital for eleven dynasties over a period of more than 2,000 years. Together with Athens, Cairo and Rome, Xi’an is among the four major civilisation capitals of the ancient world.

Highlights:

Terracotta Army

Ancient City Wall

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Shaanxi Provincial History Museum

Tang Dynasty Singing & Dancing Show

Imperial Dumpling Banquet

Inclusions:

Return economy class airfares to Xi’an

All transfers

Coach transportation

Daily meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, S=Special Banquet)

2 nights hotel accommodation (twin/double/triple share)

Entrance fees to scenic attractions

English speaking guide

Exclusions:

Tipping prepaid in Australia: $30

Personal expenditure

Price Guide:

Single Supplement: $120

All airline or flight related upgrades defined in the Price Guide of the core tour incur an additional $200

The highlight today is a visit to the Terracotta Army to see the life-sized defending army of the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. This site is among the top archaeological excavations of the 20th century. This will be followed by a visit to a ceramic art factory. In the evening, enjoy a special Imperial Dumpling Banquet and traditional Tang Dynasty Singing & Dancing Show.

After breakfast, visit the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum. The museum is one of China’s largest, and houses over 370,000 items, including murals, paintings, pottery, coins, as well as bronze, gold, and silver objects. Enjoy a special noodle lunch including an interesting noodle making demonstration. Then visit the Great Wild Goose Pagoda, the symbol of the city. Later, walk along the Ancient City Wall, which is not only the most complete city wall to survive in China, but also one of the largest ancient military defence systems in the world. Fly to Beijing in the evening to commence your China Sampler 10 Day Tour.

Optional Post-Tour Extension Package

Majestic Yangtze River Cruise 5 Days 4 Nights

From $1090

After walking along the Great Wall in Beijing, stroll through classic gardens in Suzhou, and immerse yourself in the bustling metropolis Shanghai, relax as you cruise along the majestic Yangtze River and discover the dramatic gorges, mountain villages and breathtaking scenery. A Yangtze River cruise is the thrill of a life time. You will enjoy the stunning picturesque scenery and amazing natural beauties of the famed Three Gorges: Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge, while exploring the historic relics and ancient cultural sites along the mighty river.

Enjoy shore excursions to explore the fascinating history and tranquil landscapes including the spectacle of Fengdu Ghost City, a peculiar site that contains statues of demons and ghosts that roam the after-world; the fun of drifting through Shennong Stream, which offers clear running waters, picturesque rock formations, and monkeys and goats along its banks; and the wonder of the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest dam.

A Yangtze River cruise is a visual delight, full of pleasant surprises and many treasures waiting to be discovered. The images will stay with you long after you have returned home.

The luxurious President 7 is a newly-constructed ship of modern design and construction technique. It first sailed on the Yangtze River in April of 2013. With a length of 146.8m and width of 20.2m, the ship possesses 215 deluxe cabins, 13 executive cabins and 2 presidential cabins, which all together can accommodate up to 580 passengers. There are about 200 staff on board offering superior and comprehensive service to guests whenever needed. Besides the high-quality service, the ship is also equipped with the most advanced facilities like satellite television, satellite phone and air-conditioning. You will be impressed by the considerate design of providing a large swimming pool, deluxe cinema, golf driving range, children’s park and barrier-free facilities, which make this quite different from traditional cruise ships.

This morning fly to the port city of Yichang, the starting point of our Yangtze River Cruise for the next four nights. After dinner, we board the cruise and receive an introduction on cruise events and onboard activities.

Today, your cruise enters the Xiling Gorge. Named for Mount Xiling, this is the longest of the Three Gorges. In fact, Xiling Gorge comprises four smaller gorges with rather poetic names; Precious Sword, Horse Lung & Ox Liver, Soundless Bell, and Shadow Play.

Arr/Dept

Events

08:00

Briefing on the cruise

08:00-09:00

Passing the Xiling Gorge (East Part)

09:00-11:00

Shore excursion: Three Gorges Dam Site

11:00-13:00

Shore excursion: Visit Ba and Tujia ethnic minorities of the Three Gorges. Experience a charming reenactment of traditional life ways in a peaceful hillside village setting (optional)